Finger ring with pivotally mounted size-adjusting member

ABSTRACT

A finger ring size adjuster which can be actuated to reduce the internal ring size after the ring is on the finger so that a maximum ring opening can be provided for placing the ring on the finger. A spring-biased detent holds the dimension-reducing element releasably in its full closed position and permits it to be swung under predetermined pressure to its full open position.

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FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Primary Examiner- F. Barry Shay Attorneys-JamesA. Eise'nman, John'C. McGregor and Robert R. Strack ABSTRACT: A fingerring size adjuster which can be actuated to reduce the internal ringsize after the ring is on the finger so that a maximum ring opening canbe provided for placing the ring on the finger. A spring-biased detentholds thedimensionreducing element releasably in its full closedposition and permits it to be swung under predetermined pressure to itsfull open position.

FINGER G WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED SIZE- ADJUSTING MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The invention relates to finger ring size adjusters andguards.

Conventional finger ring size adjusters and guards take the form ofspring-biased members which intrude upon the internal ring space andwhich exert a constant spring force. Typically, such devices provide theminimum ring size or opening when the ring is off the finger so that theguard must be displaced against the spring force in order to force it onor off the finger. Once on the finger, there tends to be a continuousspring pressure. In those devices in which the spring-forced guard isbuilt into the large or decorative portion of the ring, they tend tocreate an open space between the ring and the finger which can beesthetically unpleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided a finger ring size adjuster which can take the form of acontoured element pivotally mounted at the back side of the ring andhaving a geometry which-blends into the inside circumference of the ringas a continuous line. The pivoted element is adapted to be swung to aposition in the plane of the ring, thereby decreasing the ring size, andto a position at right angles to the plane of the ring, thereby openingthe ring to its full original inside diameter. Detent means in the formof a spring releasably secured the member in either of its positions.Thus, to place the ring on the finger, the member is swung to its openposition so that the ring can be slipped on the finger unhampered, butonce on the finger the member can be swung to its coplanar position inwhich the member decreases the ring size in the fleshy portion of thefinger where it is least conspicuous.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a ring embodying the size adjustment device ofthe present invention and showing the reduced size position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the ring of FIG. I, particularly in crosssection, showing the size-controlling element in its inoperative or inits position in which the full inside diameter of the ring is availablefor placing the ring on the finger.

FIG. 3 is a view in transverse section and in enlarged scale showingstructural details of one preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 41 is a view in perspective further showing structural details ofthe operative element detached from the ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings andto FIGS. 1-3 in particular, the invention is illustrated as embodied ina finger ring which can, if desired, include a decorative portion 11,and, attached preferably to a diametrically opposed portion, a ring areacontrolling member 12 which has a contoured surface 13 which forms ageometrical continuity with the inner surface 14 of the ring. In theillustrated embodiment, this takes the form of a convexly roundedsurface. The member 12 is pivotally mounted on the ring by a hingeassembly 15.

In the arrangement of FIGS. 1-3, the pin of the hinge assembly 15 takesthe form of a short length 16 of the ring of reduced diameter formedwith a flat 16a facing inwardly. The remainder of the ring can begenerally circular in cross section or, if desired, can have additionalflats formed thereon. The hinge pin 16 is surrounded by a hinge strap15a of substantially the same outside diameter and cross-sectionalconfiguration as the ring and carrying the size-controlling member 12.Formed within the body of the member 12 is a channel 17 having a spring13 of longer length compressed therein. Received in a central opening120 of the member is a detent pin 19 having a transverse bore 190through which the compressed spring 18 passes. The outer flat end of thedetent I9, radially speaking, bears against the flat 16a of the hingepin 16,

thereby holding the member l2 releasably in its operative position.

When it is desired to place the ring on the finger or to remove it, themember 12 is moved to its horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 2,thereby establishing the full internal area of the ring. When the ringis on the finger, the member 12 is snapped to its coplanar position withrespect to the ring and the member 12, when disposed in thecircumferential position indicated, lightly embeds itself in the: fleshyportion of the finger beneath the knuckle, thereby holding the ring onthe finger, and in addition, causing the decorative portion 11 to bepulled snugly against the opposite side of the finger.

The arrangement of FIGS. l-3 is particularly adapted to be constructedinto the ring at the time it is initially fabricated or, if desired, tobe applied by a jeweler having the necessary tools to form the shortcylindrical shank portion 16 in the ring.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in enlarged scale designdetails of one preferred way of constructing the member 12. The hingestrap 15a is shown as an outwardly extending tongue 20 which has not yetbeen formed into the hinge loop which is adapted to surround the shank16 of the ring. Formed along the inner edge of the member 12 is achannel 21 within which a spring 22 is fitted under light compressionwith the spring passing through a transverse bore 23a in a detent blockor member 23, the outer end of which projects slightly beyond the planeof the inner edge so that it can bear releasably against a flat on thering shank in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. The channel 21 isadapted to be closed by bending down tabs 24 and 25. The detent block 23is received in a central opening in the member 12 which is slightlydeeper than the length of the inner end of the block so that the blockcan move in and out to perform its detent function. It should also beseen that the spring 22, passing through a bore in the detent block 23,serves both as a resilient member opposing inward motion of the detentblock and at the same time restrains it against falling out of itscentral opening before the member 12 is mounted on a ring. It will alsobe understood that the design of FIG. 4 is adapted to be mounted on aring either at the factory or by a jeweler, at which time the reduceddiameter hinge pin 16 can be formed in. the ring, or it can be sold as aseparate unit to be mounted by the owner who forms the hinge 15a aroundthe ring by bending the tab 20 but without forming the reduced hinge pin16 in the ring.

It will be apparent, therefore, that the invention can take variousforms and arrangements and should not be limited except as defined bythe following claims:

I claim:

1. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising a member todisplace a portion of the internal area of the ring, hinge means forcoaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swungbetween inoperative and operative positions; and spring-biased detentmeans for coaction with a ring to releasably hold the member in itsoperative position, said member including a convexly contoured surfacewhich, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with thering and disposed within the circumference thereof, forms a convexprotuberance defining a continuous smooth line joining with the innercircumference of the ring at two relatively closely spaced points, saidmember comprising a substantially solid member'having internal conduitsaccommodating said detent means and having side surfaces which, when themember is in its operative position coplanar with the ring, forms asubstantially gapfree junction with the inner circumference of the ring.

2. Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 1,said member including as part of said hinge means a strap portionsurrounding the ring, the ring being reduced in cross section wheresurrounded by the strap to form a substantially unbroken line with thering.

3. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising a member todisplace a portion the internal area of the ring, hinge means forcoaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swungbetween inoperative and operative block to hold it yieldably in positionto engage the ring.

4. Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 3,said hinge means comprising a bendable metal tongue carried by themember and adapted to be folded about the ring to form a hinge strap.

5. Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 3,said member including a spring-receiving channel along one of its edges,and tab means on said member adapted to be folded over said channel tohold the spring therein.

1. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising a member todisplace a portion of the internal area of the ring, hinge means forcoaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swungbetween inoperative and operative positions; and spring-biased detentmeans for coaction with a ring to releasably hold the member in itsoperative position, said member including a convexly Contoured surfacewhich, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with thering and disposed within the circumference thereof, forms a convexprotuberance defining a continuous smooth line joining with the innercircumference of the ring at two relatively closely spaced points, saidmember comprising a substantially solid member having internal conduitsaccommodating said detent means and having side surfaces which, when themember is in its operative position coplanar with the ring, forms asubstantially gap-free junction with the inner circumference of thering.
 2. Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth inclaim 1, said member including as part of said hinge means a strapportion surrounding the ring, the ring being reduced in cross sectionwhere surrounded by the strap to form a substantially unbroken line withthe ring.
 3. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising amember to displace a portion the internal area of the ring, hinge meansfor coaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swungbetween inoperative and operative positions; and spring-biased detentmeans for coaction with a ring to releasably hold the member in itsoperative position, said member including a convexly contoured surfacewhich, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with thering and disposed within the circumference thereof, forms a convexprotuberance defining a continuous smooth line joining with the innercircumference of the ring at two relatively closely spaced points; saiddetent means comprising a detent block movably mounted in the body ofsaid member, a spring within the body of the member passing through thedetent block to hold it yieldably in position to engage the ring. 4.Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 3,said hinge means comprising a bendable metal tongue carried by themember and adapted to be folded about the ring to form a hinge strap. 5.Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 3,said member including a spring-receiving channel along one of its edges,and tab means on said member adapted to be folded over said channel tohold the spring therein.